"So do I," declared Lily, her chum.
"The canoes and the single and double oars have better chances to win than the eight," pursued Hester. "We are centering on the eight because the bulk of the present crew are members of this committee."
"That is not so, Hessie," declared Mary O'Rourke, another senior who rowed in the eight.
"The whole school is interested," said a junior member of the executive board. "The girls talk more about the eight than about anything else."
"And that talk is all very skilfully worked up by Laura, here, and her friends," declared Hester. "Oh! some of us have eyes and ears, I hope."
"And a tongue that is hung in the middle and wags both ways!" whispered Jess.
"We are wrangling without coming to any conclusion," said Laura, sighing. "What shall we do about the shell? Can we get a new one——"
"Who'll buy it for us?" demanded Lily.
"That's just it," agreed Laura.
"Let's ask our folks to all chip in a quarter," said Jess.